Lowell council debate looms over proposed City Hall job

LOWELL -- From tracking abuse of sick leave to Lowell's worst pot holes, City Manager Bernie Lynch says a new City Hall position he is proposing will save Lowell thousands of dollars in the long run.

But with Lowell's unemployment climbing to 13 percent in December -- higher than the state and national average -- and a recent average property-tax increase of 4.5 percent to homeowners, some City Council members say now is not the time to increase City Hall's payroll.

The council is expected to take up a measure tomorrow night that would create a new position for a data-management analyst at a cost between $45,000 and $60,000 a year. The position requires an ordinance change.

Lynch's request comes two weeks after he hired Henry Marchand as assistant to the city manager at an annual salary of $68,190. A portion of Marchand's salary is being funded from a $129,000 reimbursement received from Greater Lowell Technical High School. What's left of that money could go toward funding the data analyst's job.

Councilors are torn over the new request, which, if approved, would be the second expansion of city government since the new council was seated in January.

Councilor Rodney Elliott said the creation of a new position "doesn't make fiscal sense" in light of a tight budget that could mean layoffs in the spring. Almost 135 municipal jobs have already been eliminated, according to Lynch.

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"We don't know at this point what state aid is going to be, but from all indications, 2010 is going to be the toughest year of this recession," Elliott said. "I don't really understand the logic behind this request and I don't really think I could support it. The council needs to set priorities. We have to get back to basics. Police, firefighters and teachers. During better economic times, a data-management analyst might be a reasonable request, but right now it's more of a luxury."

Councilor Rita Mercier said she would "not for a moment support this," even if the position could be funded with overage from the Greater Lowell Tech assessment.

"We just gave (Lynch) his key position back, and now this?" Mercier said, referring to the assistant's job. "There goes that $129,000. That was quick. And what about all these people that were laid off last year? Are any of them getting their jobs back? This is just a bit too much."

Lynch said the new position would kick-start Lowell's use of the CitiStat program, which is the same high-tech accountability system that Springfield implemented to help it climb out of a $41 million deficit. Five years later, Springfield reported a $39 million budget surplus and credited CitiStat as a valuable tool in tracking the performance and accountability of their government agencies, Lynch said.

"This system measures data from departments across the board and determines where the resources are going," Lynch said. "Springfield and Somerville each dedicate about four staff people to do this. I'd like one. It will be a key tool in helping us get back on track by showing us how to use our resources more wisely."

However, Springfield's municipal government was run by the state Finance Advisory Control Board for five years. The board hired a labor attorney to renegotiate the city's union contracts, resulting in millions of dollars in savings in wage and health-care costs.

Lynch's request is in response to a motion passed by the council on Jan. 12 that the city explore implementing a data-tracking and management tool.

"We really have to take the long-term view that the position will save us money in the long run," said Councilor Patrick Murphy, who made the motion. "Sometimes it's not easily seen that way at first."

Councilor Frankie Descoteaux said that if successfully implemented, the new position "can create efficiencies across departments."

"I am ready to support this program, but do so with very high expectations of its return on the taxpayer's investment," Descoteaux wrote in an e-mail.

Both Mayor James Milinazzo and Councilor Kevin Broderick said because it is an ordinance, a public hearing must be held, which limits what they can publicly say about their stance on creating the new position.

"We voted to look at it and I'm looking forward to the discussion," Milinazzo said, adding that the position could be funded through the city manager's contingency fund.

"I'd just say that I'm open and I have some questions," said Broderick.

Councilor Edward "Bud" Caulfield also declined comment, saying he would probably ask for a roll call to send it to a public hearing. Councilor Joe Mendonca said he would have to be convinced of the need for the position before he could support it.

"I'm concerned that in a few months, more cuts may have to be made, so I'm really interested in the discussion that will take place on Tuesday night," Mendonca said.

Councilor Bill Martin said Lynch will have to make a strong case for why it's important and show how the position will help save the city money.

"We don't want to spend money unnecessarily," Martin said. "It's something the council will have to listen to, to see if it makes sense."

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